Business groups respond to May's latest Brexit vote defeat
Reactions from business lobby groups to the latest parliamentary defeat for Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit Withdrawal Agreement proposal.
Confederation of British Industry director general Carolyn Fairbairn:
“Enough is enough. This must be the last day of failed politics. A new approach is needed by all parties. Jobs and livelihoods depend on it.
“Extending Article 50 to close the door on a March no-deal is now urgent. It should be as short as realistically possible and backed by a clear plan.
“Conservatives must consign their red lines to history, while Labour must come to the table with a genuine commitment to solutions.
“It’s time for Parliament to stop this circus.”
Institute of Directors interim director general Edwin Morgan:
“Our politicians have yet again failed to find a way to break the impasse. They are becoming adept at saying what they don’t want, but it’s still hard to see where the desire for compromise lies. Now that we have confirmation that parliament will have its opportunity to reject no deal on 29 March, it is essential that political leaders on all sides look beyond party lines to find a way to move the country forward."
“If an extension is sought, both the government and the opposition must state in precise terms what they are hoping to achieve from it. Recurring short extensions aren’t an appetising prospect for businesses."
"While business leaders will be eager to see the details on tariffs and the Northern Ireland border, the government’s belated contingency planning and lack of transparency have made it almost impossible for many of them to prepare adequately for no deal by 29 March.”
British Chambers of Commerce director general Dr Adam Marshall:
“Businesses have warned time and again that the United Kingdom is not ready to face the consequences of a messy and disorderly exit from the European Union. Government agencies are not ready, many businesses are not ready, and despite two and a half years passing since the referendum, there is no clear plan to support communities at the sharp end of such an abrupt change."
“Parliament must demonstrate that it will heed these repeated warnings. It is profoundly obvious that neither government nor many businesses are ready for a disorderly exit – and this must not be allowed to happen on March 29th, whether by default or by design.
“Businesses have been failed over and over again by Westminster in recent months, but allowing a messy and disorderly exit on March 29th would take political negligence to new extremes.”
British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson:
“Even as the Brexit clock approaches midnight, MPs continue to squabble. Yet it is the public who will feel the impact of a no deal Brexit – tariffs, non-tariff barriers and currency depreciation will all push up costs and reduce the choice on the shelves we all currently enjoy.
“Businesses are exasperated over the lack of clarity over their future trading arrangements. Hundreds of ships are currently sailing towards Britain without a clear understanding of the tariffs, checks or documentation requirements they will face when they arrive. Politicians must swallow their pride and find an agreement that can command the support of the House.”
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Mike Hawes:
“(Tuesday's) vote leaves us perilously close to the ‘cliff edge’. No-deal would be catastrophic for the automotive industry. It would end frictionless trade, add billions to the cost of manufacturing and cost jobs. UK automotive businesses will be put at immediate risk. Parliament must reject no-deal and take it permanently off the table.”